$137 million World Bank Digital Programme to Aid Sierra Leone, Regional Peers

Sierra Leone, along with neighbouring Liberia and Benin, is set to receive a significant boost in digital infrastructure following the approval of a $137 million financing package by the World Bank Group.

The programme, called the Western Africa Regional Digital Integration Program Phase 2 (WARDIP2), aims to expand reliable internet access and strengthen the region’s digital economy.

Under WARDIP2, high-speed internet will be extended to an estimated 5.2 million people, connecting urban centres and remote areas through upgraded fiber optic networks and modernized data centres. The initiative is designed not only to enhance connectivity but also to lower the cost of internet data for households and businesses.

Beyond infrastructure, the programme seeks to stimulate entrepreneurship and innovation. Around 140 digital startups will receive support, with special emphasis on women-led businesses, while approximately 9,000 individuals will benefit from digital skills training to prepare them for the global remote-work economy.

A key feature of the initiative is the harmonization of digital laws across the three participating countries. This legal alignment is expected to simplify cross-border online trade, enabling entrepreneurs in Sierra Leone to easily offer services and products to clients in neighbouring Liberia and Benin.

Officials say the programme is expected to transform the West African digital landscape, fostering inclusive growth, job creation, and regional economic integration. By connecting more people to affordable, high-speed internet and supporting digital businesses, WARDIP2 positions Sierra Leone and its neighbours to better participate in the global digital economy.

This project is part of the World Bank Group’s broader push to accelerate Africa’s digital transformation, strengthen innovation ecosystems, and enhance economic opportunities for citizens and businesses across emerging markets.